FAIRTAX FRIDAY & CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – May 12TH, 2017

WHO IS MORE IMPORTANT—LOBBYISTS OR CONSTITUENTS?

The answer of course, “It depends on who you ask.”

My first visit to Washington, D.C. to meet with Congressional offices about replacing the income tax with a national retail sales tax was in 1990. The meetings were not with Members but junior aides. When I explained that I wanted to talk with them about replacing the income tax with a national retail sales tax, the reaction was interesting. Almost always, they looked at me like you would look at a guy claiming to be Napoleon—I know he is crazy but I hope that he is not dangerous.

When I started to have meetings with Members, most told me that there was little chance that replacing the income tax with a national retail sales tax would pass unless the Members are relentlessly pounded by their constituents—not lobbyists or people with D.C. offices.

In the mid-1990’s, as I have related before, I met with retired Senator Russell Long at his Washington, D.C. law office. At this meeting, it became clear that our approach was truly a grass roots effort and that we were not offering politicians a lot of money like many lobbyists.

One of the things that he told me was that when he was in the Senate, he regularly met with lobbyists. Some were his former colleagues and some were working for companies or groups that he felt were important. He said that one of the benefits of the income tax code was that almost every well-funded lobbying group was always advocating getting a benefit and/or keeping a benefit for their clients.

This led to the Members being able to raise a lot of money that was used for their campaigns. However, he told me that while he met with lobbyists, they didn’t vote in his state. For this reason he said that he was always much more concerned about the opinions of the people who elected him.

He said something like, “I am much more interested in the opinion of Joe Miconti in Metairie, Louisiana, than any ten lobbyists because Joe helps me get re-elected.” His point was that our only chance of bringing about such a massive reform like the national retail sales tax was to get the voters in each Member’s district or state to demand it.

The Washington Logic and Real Facts

Many people who get paid to work in Washington, D.C. believe that they are doing important things and have superior knowledge that people who don’t work in D.C don’t have. Most groups that work in D.C. don’t have large grass roots organizations supporting them like we do. There are exceptions, but most get their financial support from a few wealthy contributors or from forced assessments—like the teacher’s unions and labor unions. These D.C. people often see grass roots groups like the FAIRtax as being peopled with perhaps well-meaning people but believe only the D.C. based people really understand what is best.

When you speak to some of these D.C. people, they say things like, “The only way to be taken seriously is to have a D.C. office.” Or, “You need to meet with the important people at the think tanks if you want to influence policy.” Or, “Only when you interact with other people like me will you get anything done here.”

After going to D.C. for 27 years, it has become apparent to me that in D.C. it generally pays much better to talk about things than to do things. The income/payroll tax system is a good example. There are thousands of people who work for lobbying firms and think tanks that depend on this decayed and broken system. There are also many more “experts” who make their living analyzing the income/payroll tax system and providing learned opinions as to what this little change or that little change could do to improve the system.

Many other Congressional staffers have worked on income/payroll tax issues for low wages for years in order that they could leave the Member and go to work at a much higher salary at lobbying firms or with other groups who address the income/payroll tax system for their clients.

The obvious question is what would happen to all of these people if the income/payroll tax system went away? They are often making much more money than they could command in the private sector.

What would happen to these D.C. people if they had to get other jobs? The more capable ones will land on their feet and obtain gainful employment with companies in the private sector. The others may be more challenged, but at least they will be working in areas that actually produce something besides regulations and problems for the rest of us who are actually making the country successful.

The Ultimate Solution

Fundamental reforms in this country have only occurred when enough voters demanded it. Did the big money people want Prohibition? Did the big money people want women to vote?

Replacing the income/payroll tax with the FAIRtax is a comparable change. The big money people all have carved out their own special benefits. They are assisted by all the people in D.C. who profit from the income/payroll tax system.

Conclusion

The only way to cut through all of this noise is to make the Members so uncomfortable about their re-elections that they do what is best for the people, not for the D.C. elites and the lobbyists.

Would it be easier if we had the funds to pay for a staff? Of course it would. Would it be easier to have an office in D.C. and use it to coordinate activities? Of course it would. Would it be easier if we had the funds to pay for media ads? Of course it would.

However, even without funds for a D.C. office and for media ads, we have something that most people promoting change don’t—a very large group of people who are demanding the replacement of the failed income/payroll tax model with the FAIRtax!

Our supporters need to demand that their Members of the House and the Senate explain what they are going to do to slow down the illegal evasion of the income/payroll tax system that will be $9 trillion in the next ten years. They need to do this by calling their offices and by attending their town halls and asking the question.

This is what will ultimately move Congress to do the right thing. Not because they have suddenly understood it, but because they feel the heat and know that not doing the right thing may cost them their position in Congress.

The reason that no one laughs any longer when Peggy and I go to D.C. is not because of a lobbyist or some D.C. endorsement, it is because the people are speaking and as much as they would like to ignore the voice of the people, the Members know better.

Thomas Jefferson said, “A majority is one man with courage.” We have a large group of FAIRtax supporters that daily demonstrate their courage by taking actions to promote the FAIRtax. This is the only way that the corrupt system that pays its supporters so well can be replaced by a sane system.

PASS THE FAIRTAX!

WHAT CAN EACH OF US DO

Call up the local or D.C. office of the House Member and two Senators and you can use the following script:

I am sure that Representative ____ or Senator ____ is in favor of everyone obeying the income tax laws.
After they assure you that their boss is not in favor of anyone breaking the law, ask if they are aware of the Cebula study showing $9 trillion of evaded income/payroll taxes over the next ten years.
Since most will say they don’t believe their boss has seen the study, either drop off a copy or get an email address and send a copy to them for their boss.
Say you are going to call back in a week and ask what the Representative or Senator is going to do to stop this evasion.
In a week, call back and ask specifically what the Representative or Senator is going to do to enforce the law.
They probably will say their boss believes that simplifying the income tax will handle the problem.
Explain that when people evade income taxes, they are also evading the 15.3% payroll/Medicare tax and state income tax. So it is unlikely that they are going to pay 30% or 40% when they were paying 0% because they have already decided it is okay to cheat.
Say that the only way to reduce evasion is to increase by tens or hundreds of thousands the number of comprehensive IRS audits done each year.
Point out that Evaders do not self-identify by putting an “E” on their income tax return.
80% of the people likely to be audited are trying to comply, but they will be forced to endure these IRS audits as well.
Ask if the Member is in favor of this?
If they say no, then ask again how the Member proposes to stop people breaking the income tax laws.
Then explain that the way to handle evasion without unleashing the IRS audits is the FAIRtax.

If you can see your Member or attend a town hall and ask these questions, you can be even more effective.

HELP BRING ABOUT REAL TAX REFORM AND STOP FUTURE IRS ABUSES

Because of the varied attacks on the Ryan/Brady income tax plan, the White House has announced that they need to start over to determine the best tax plan to propose. Abraham Lincoln also said, “Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

We may only have a limited time to stop the fake tax reform being promoted by some in Congress. If it passes, then the Elites will say that we need to wait before we consider any more changes. To stop this fake reform, we must be able to ensure that our message is clearly heard not only by Congress but also by President Trump. To do this we need your help.

By contributing (investing) $10.40 per month, you help provide a financial base to AFFT. If you can make larger contributions (investments), these will be used not for salaries, as we are all volunteers, but for the needed updates to our economic studies which will be vital in 2017.

Please go to this link to invest in AFFT and in your and your family’s future.

A NEW FAIRTAX POWER RADIO PODCAST EVERY WEEK

FAIRTAX POWER RADIO EXPOSES MORE IRS CORRUPTION

We all know the IRS can be difficult to deal with, but a recent episode of FAIRtax Power Radio exposes the IRS’s practice of ignoring criminal activity in leu of the easy pickin’s of innocent citizens. Yes, that’s right, the IRS prefers to target YOU and ignore criminal activity. Listen to our free podcast #54, “Here’s why we must end the IRS!” for the disturbing details.

While you’re at it, make sure you listen all the recent episodes of FAIRtax Power Radio.

The FAIRtax Guys produce a new podcast every week not only to keep you informed and up to date with efforts to pass the FAIRtax, but to inform others who may not be up to speed with the FAIRtax. We also review the many benefits of the FAIRtax and we remind everyone that the FAIRtax is the ONLY legislation in Congress that eliminates the income tax and the IRS. (Fist Pump!)

Please help us spread the word about the FAIRtax and FAIRtax Power Radio. Telling your friends and relatives about FAIRtax Power Radio is a great way to help us garner more support. It is the American people who will demand REAL tax reform.

You can listen to FTPR on any platform - Mac or PC, iPhone or Android. And it’s 100% free.

Listen on Spreaker, iTunes or iHeart Radio on your computer or smartphone. Spreaker, iTunes and iHeart all have free apps. But the easiest way to listen to FTPR on your smartphone is by downloading the free FTPR app. Just search for “FAIRtax Power Radio” in your app store, download the app and start listening. As stated earlier, we post a new episode every Friday morning. Please listen in and tell everyone you know about the FAIRtax Power Radio podcasts.

As stated earlier, we post a new episode every Friday morning. Please listen in and tell everyone you know about the FAIRtax Power Radio podcasts.

Learn more. Get involved. Make it happen!

AN INTRO TO THE FAIRTAX - IN ELECTRONIC OR PRINT FORM

Some people prefer to read a book about a new subject instead of searching a website. If you know someone like this, we have the solution for you, AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION which is an inexpensive e-book written as an introduction to the FAIRtax.

AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION is available for only $2.99 for the Amazon Kindle, the Barnes & Noble Nook and Apple iOS.

AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION by Florida Volunteer Terry Tibbetts has been written to give people of all ages a basic introduction to the FAIRtax and encourage them to learn more about the most thoroughly researched tax plan ever presented to Congress. It is a light hearted approach to a very serious subject.

Everyone needs to know that we have an alternative to federal income tax and the criminal enterprise known as the IRS. Everyone needs hope and AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION provides that hope. AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION is an alternative to the social media platforms competing for our attention.

You can even purchase a print copy at the same Amazon link above for $9.25. Regardless of whether you choose the electronic format or the print format, you’ll find AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION will give someone the boost they need to begin their study of the FAIRtax and the suggested resources to learn more. Buy AMERICA’S BIG SOLUTION now!

Links for Further Information

Please, if you'd like to keep studying and promoting the FAIRtax, make yourself familiar with the links below. We always do our best to keep our AFFT community up to date, and you can stay ahead of the curve using these convenient sites.

AFFT National LOGO Store
SUPPLYING EDUCATIONAL/PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

SPECIAL PROMO EVENT MAY 9-30th 2017

  Celebrating
Mother’s day, 14th 
Armed Forces Day, 20th 
Memorial Day, 29th

We are pleased to announce that your FAIRtax℠ Store now has in-house embroidering capability. This is a GREAT time to stock up on FAIRtax℠ garments during our MAY 9-30th special promo event.   We are offering:  20% discount on embroidered hats, polo shirts and jackets.  For every FAIRtax℠ umbrella ordered, receive free 100 Palm Cards and one free tote bag.   Remember, when you order your garments, don’t forget your FAIRtax℠ umbrella for protection from the May showers. Also, a nice gift for Mother’s Day.   Most of our FAIRtax℠ items are in red/white/blue colors which fit nicely with Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day celebrations.   Don’t forget to order some scrolling banners, shown above, and equally important your small FAIRtax℠ informational business cards with the 2017 prebate numbers on the back.   To make this May event really special, we are offering FREE shipping and handling on all items ordered during the time period of May 9-30th.   Now, this is a great deal!  

Click here to visit the FAIRtax℠ Store.

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FAIRTAX FRIDAY & CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – May 12TH, 2017